General Attorney

Office of General Counsel · San Francisco

Salary: $108,173 – $172,980 per year

Closes: 2027-01-29T00:00:00.000Z

Job description and requirements

Summary As a General Attorney, you will serve as an Ethics attorney in the Office of the General Counsel (OGC). Location of position: This position is located in OGC/Ethics Law Division (LE). LE is responsible for providing legal counsel on ethics rules and policies. We are currently filling multiple vacancies. Qualifications For each job on your resume, provide: the exact dates you held each job (from month/year to month/year). number of hours per week you worked (if part time). If you have volunteered your service through a National Service program (e.g., Peace Corps, Americorps), we encourage you to apply and include this experience on your resume. The GS-13 salary range starts at $108,173. Locality pay will be determined upon selection. If you are a new federal employee, your starting salary will likely be set at the Step 1 of the grade for which you are selected. This position has a positive education requirement: Applicants must submit a copy of their law school transcript(s) by the closing date of announcements to verify qualifications. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment. To qualify, you must possess all of the following: A Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (at the time of graduation); AND Candidates must be an active member of the Bar in good standing (licensed to practice law) in any State, a Territory of the United States, District of Columbia or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; AND At least two years of professional legal experience acquired after being admitted to the bar. Education Note: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/ Requirements If selected, you must meet the following conditions: Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non­Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service. Serve up to a two year trial period, if required. Undergo and pass a background investigation (Tier 2 investigation level). Have your identity and work status eligibility verified if you are not a GSA employee. We will use the Department of Homeland Security's e-Verify system for this. Any discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of continued employment. Complete a financial disclosure report to verify that no conflict, or an appearance of conflict, exists between your financial interest and this position. How You Will Be Evaluated Candidates' resumes will be used to evaluate their professional legal experience after being admitted to the bar. However, the resume does not constitute the sole source of how you will be evaluated. The candidates' experience will also be assessed during an interview (if applicable), with particular emphasis on the candidate's comprehension of the requirements pertinent to the specific area. While possession of the competencies, knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below is preferred, it is not required: Knowledge of Federal conflicts of interest laws, Standards of Ethical Conduct and other Government ethics related rules and regulations. Ability to analyze facts, apply legal principles, and provide advice/opinions on Executive Orders, regulations, strategies, initiatives, and institutional practices. Skill in oral communication to make formal and informal presentations to higher level management. Skill in written communication using legal research and analysis techniques to draft legal opinions. Skill in developing and conducting training. You may preview questions for this vacancy. Required Documents ALL required documents must be submitted before the closing date. Review the following list to determine what you need to submit. Resume: Your resume should not exceed 2 pages and must demonstrate the specialized experience related to the position for which you are applying. Resumes exceeding two pages will not be accepted by USAJOBS and will prevent your application from moving forward in the hiring process. Your resume must contain the following information: Name, address, telephone number, email address; Job Title (if Federal Service, provide series and grade; if not in GS plan, provide GS equivalent grade); Relevant work experience—should include employer name, job title, start and end dates (month/year), the number of hours worked per week and descriptions that explain how you meet the required qualifications in the job announcement. Education, certifications or licensures—If the job announcement requires any education, certifications or licensures, make sure to include the required information and any required documents like transcripts. Your resume should contain enough information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the basic, general, or specialized experience requirements for each grade level you are applying. This information must be clearly identified in your resume. If you do not provide enough information for us to determine your qualifications, you may be rated ineligible. Note: If required to submit an SF-50 (Notice of Personnel Action), an equivalent agency Notice of Personnel Action form is acceptable. The SF-50 or equivalent agency Notice of Personnel Action form must show all of the following: effective date, position, title, series, grade, and rate of basic pay, tenure group 1 (career) or 2 (career-conditional), position occupied group, and name of agency. If you are a GSA employee (except in the OIG), you are not required to submit an SF-50. If you are a current or former political appointee: Submit your SF-50. Law School transcripts: This position has a positive education requirement. You must submit a copy of your law school transcript(s). Transcripts MUST show: name of the institution, student's name, course work/degree(s) completed/conferred and dates. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment. For education completed outside the United States, also submit a valid foreign credential evaluation that substantiates possession of the required education. How to Apply Submit a complete online application including any required documents prior to 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement. You can modify or complete your application any time before the deadline. Simply return to USAJOBS, select the vacancy, and update your application. For more detailed instructions on how to apply, click here: Apply for a GSA Job. If you are having issues applying to this announcement, you should switch to a different browser, network or device. Note: Your firewall may block your transfer from USAJOBS to your GSA application. To begin, click the Apply Online button on the vacancy announcement. Sign in or register on USAJobs and select a resume and documents to include in your application. Resumes exceeding two pages will not be accepted by USAJOBS and will prevent your application from moving forward in the hiring process. Please see Required Documents for additional details. Once you have clicked Apply for this position now, you will be taken to the GSA site to complete the application process. Click the Apply To This Vacancy and complete all steps in the application process until the Confirmation indicates your application is complete. If you click Return to USAJobs or get timed out prior to receiving confirmation, your application will not be submitted and cannot be considered for this job. Note: Review the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section of this announcement to determine which apply to you and must be submitted online. You may choose one or more of the following options to submit your document(s): Upload (from your computer) or USAJOBS (click the "USAJOBS" link to complete the transfer process). Need Assistance? Questions or issues completing an application and/or submitting documentation - contact mgshelp@monster.com or 1-866-656-6831 Monday-Friday 7AM - 7PM EST, except for Federal holidays Specific questions on the position - contact the HR representative (Monday-Friday during normal business hours) listed on the announcement, prior to the application deadline You must receive HR approval before deviating from these instructions. Be sure to APPLY EARLY as most assessments must be completed fully and submitted before the announcement closing. Benefits You will have access to many benefits including: Health insurance (choose from a wide range of plans) Life insurance coverage with several options Sick leave and vacation time, including 11 paid holidays per year Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401(k) plan) Flexible work schedules Transit and child care subsidies Flexible spending accounts Long-term care insurance Training and development
Show full description and requirements

Summary

As a General Attorney, you will serve as an Ethics attorney in the Office of the General Counsel (OGC). Location of position: This position is located in OGC/Ethics Law Division (LE). LE is responsible for providing legal counsel on ethics rules and policies. We are currently filling multiple vacancies.

Qualifications

For each job on your resume, provide: the exact dates you held each job (from month/year to month/year). number of hours per week you worked (if part time). If you have volunteered your service through a National Service program (e.g., Peace Corps, Americorps), we encourage you to apply and include this experience on your resume. The GS-13 salary range starts at $108,173. Locality pay will be determined upon selection. If you are a new federal employee, your starting salary will likely be set at the Step 1 of the grade for which you are selected. This position has a positive education requirement: Applicants must submit a copy of their law school transcript(s) by the closing date of announcements to verify qualifications. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment. To qualify, you must possess all of the following: A Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (at the time of graduation); AND Candidates must be an active member of the Bar in good standing (licensed to practice law) in any State, a Territory of the United States, District of Columbia or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; AND At least two years of professional legal experience acquired after being admitted to the bar.

Education

Note: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/

Requirements

If selected, you must meet the following conditions: Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non­Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service. Serve up to a two year trial period, if required. Undergo and pass a background investigation (Tier 2 investigation level). Have your identity and work status eligibility verified if you are not a GSA employee. We will use the Department of Homeland Security's e-Verify system for this. Any discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of continued employment. Complete a financial disclosure report to verify that no conflict, or an appearance of conflict, exists between your financial interest and this position.

How You Will Be Evaluated

Candidates' resumes will be used to evaluate their professional legal experience after being admitted to the bar. However, the resume does not constitute the sole source of how you will be evaluated. The candidates' experience will also be assessed during an interview (if applicable), with particular emphasis on the candidate's comprehension of the requirements pertinent to the specific area. While possession of the competencies, knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below is preferred, it is not required: Knowledge of Federal conflicts of interest laws, Standards of Ethical Conduct and other Government ethics related rules and regulations. Ability to analyze facts, apply legal principles, and provide advice/opinions on Executive Orders, regulations, strategies, initiatives, and institutional practices. Skill in oral communication to make formal and informal presentations to higher level management. Skill in written communication using legal research and analysis techniques to draft legal opinions. Skill in developing and conducting training. You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

ALL required documents must be submitted before the closing date. Review the following list to determine what you need to submit. Resume: Your resume should not exceed 2 pages and must demonstrate the specialized experience related to the position for which you are applying. Resumes exceeding two pages will not be accepted by USAJOBS and will prevent your application from moving forward in the hiring process. Your resume must contain the following information: Name, address, telephone number, email address; Job Title (if Federal Service, provide series and grade; if not in GS plan, provide GS equivalent grade); Relevant work experience—should include employer name, job title, start and end dates (month/year), the number of hours worked per week and descriptions that explain how you meet the required qualifications in the job announcement. Education, certifications or licensures—If the job announcement requires any education, certifications or licensures, make sure to include the required information and any required documents like transcripts. Your resume should contain enough information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the basic, general, or specialized experience requirements for each grade level you are applying. This information must be clearly identified in your resume. If you do not provide enough information for us to determine your qualifications, you may be rated ineligible. Note: If required to submit an SF-50 (Notice of Personnel Action), an equivalent agency Notice of Personnel Action form is acceptable. The SF-50 or equivalent agency Notice of Personnel Action form must show all of the following: effective date, position, title, series, grade, and rate of basic pay, tenure group 1 (career) or 2 (career-conditional), position occupied group, and name of agency. If you are a GSA employee (except in the OIG), you are not required to submit an SF-50. If you are a current or former political appointee: Submit your SF-50. Law School transcripts: This position has a positive education requirement. You must submit a copy of your law school transcript(s). Transcripts MUST show: name of the institution, student's name, course work/degree(s) completed/conferred and dates. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment. For education completed outside the United States, also submit a valid foreign credential evaluation that substantiates possession of the required education.

How to Apply

Submit a complete online application including any required documents prior to 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement. You can modify or complete your application any time before the deadline. Simply return to USAJOBS, select the vacancy, and update your application. For more detailed instructions on how to apply, click here: Apply for a GSA Job. If you are having issues applying to this announcement, you should switch to a different browser, network or device. Note: Your firewall may block your transfer from USAJOBS to your GSA application. To begin, click the Apply Online button on the vacancy announcement. Sign in or register on USAJobs and select a resume and documents to include in your application. Resumes exceeding two pages will not be accepted by USAJOBS and will prevent your application from moving forward in the hiring process. Please see Required Documents for additional details. Once you have clicked Apply for this position now, you will be taken to the GSA site to complete the application process. Click the Apply To This Vacancy and complete all steps in the application process until the Confirmation indicates your application is complete. If you click Return to USAJobs or get timed out prior to receiving confirmation, your application will not be submitted and cannot be considered for this job. Note: Review the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section of this announcement to determine which apply to you and must be submitted online. You may choose one or more of the following options to submit your document(s): Upload (from your computer) or USAJOBS (click the "USAJOBS" link to complete the transfer process). Need Assistance? Questions or issues completing an application and/or submitting documentation - contact mgshelp@monster.com or 1-866-656-6831 Monday-Friday 7AM - 7PM EST, except for Federal holidays Specific questions on the position - contact the HR representative (Monday-Friday during normal business hours) listed on the announcement, prior to the application deadline You must receive HR approval before deviating from these instructions. Be sure to APPLY EARLY as most assessments must be completed fully and submitted before the announcement closing.

Benefits

You will have access to many benefits including: Health insurance (choose from a wide range of plans) Life insurance coverage with several options Sick leave and vacation time, including 11 paid holidays per year Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401(k) plan) Flexible work schedules Transit and child care subsidies Flexible spending accounts Long-term care insurance Training and development

About this opportunity

Salary context

The annualized midpoint for this posting is $140,577. That matches the $140,577 median among 5 current California public jobs with the same normalized title.

More jobs at this employer

Office of General Counsel currently has 2 other open positions in this database.

Application timeline

Applications close in 119 days, on January 29, 2027.

Similar roles at other employers

These employers are currently listing the same normalized role:

Posting history

This posting appears on Usajobs. CA Public Jobs first observed it on September 11, 2026. It was last verified open on October 2, 2026.

View the official posting